The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-28
The President Accepts an Invitation to
Extend His Trip to Kansas City.
Indications that Higgins Has the Upper Hand
and Will Not Be Disturbed for His Late
Violation of the Presidents Order.
THE NEW CRUISERS.

The Atlanta, Boston and Chicago Pro-
nounced Worthless for War Purposes.
NEWPORT, R. l., July 27.-The board ap-
pointed by Secretary Whitney, on Friday last
to inspect the Atlanta and take command of her
until his orders have been fully carried out, met
on board the vessel Monday. The board was
busy that day and the next examining the arm
ament of the Atlanta. The result will be COM
muncated to Secretary Whitney in a few days
when the board completes Its labor, not as 1t
was outlined in the order of Secretary Whitney
naming the members OF the board and the duties
they were expected to perform, but the result of
the inspection Of the ship and her armament as
presented to the board during the short time it
has walked the deck of the Atlanta The result of
the labors of the board, summarized. toll
lows:
THE ship is at present practically useless
Her structure appears to be be strong and free
from weakness, but her armament is hors du
combat. The injury to the eighr-lnch gun
carriages is such that they can not again De
used until completely repaired The damage to
the clip-circle and clips is such that II repaired
the board would not be warranted in firing the
guns, a repetition of the injury TO them being
inevitable. The board does not think that this
portion of the fittings of the vessel was ever
intended to retard the recoil of guns, and the
damage done is in excess of what is reasonable
The deck of the vessel is found to be intact. The
uncertain behavior of the eghr-Inch guns makes
1t inexpedient 70 again biect the vessel firing
tests. 1t is manifest from the location of the
six-inch guns that if the eight inch guns were i'll
perfect order the siX-lnch guns would oe idle, as
it would be impossible to work both guns at the
Same time The smaller secondary battery is
also useless while either the eight or slx-Inch
guns are firing. The result Is that the Atlanta,
for vessel of the armament is now ar
ranged, is absolutely worthless. The discharge
of heavy-pow guns is likely to be followed by
injury to the vessel The three batteries. which
ought to be SO arranged to be fired, if neces-
sary, simultaneously, are imperative for sin
gle fire."
The board will further report that until the
repairs are made which the present condition of
the ship really demands, it is out of the question
to think of making any thorough tests of any
part of her battery What is true of the Atlanta
is also true of the Boston. and probably of the
Chicago.
Captain Bunee, commanding the Atlanta, pru
IDENTIFY tested the effect of the discharge of the
eght-inch guns before exposing the men, The
first sheep put next the gun blown-nobody
knows where The second sheep was tied around
given to allow freedom of movement The ami
NAL was tossed high into the air and drawn back
by the rope a dead creature Other objects were
placed the sx-Inch guns and in every in
stance the warning to keep away from the
guns when discharged. The board will probably
out of the range of probability that the tests laid
down by Secretary Whitney will ever be exc
cuted.